France, Greek Cypriot administration sign strategic partnership agreement

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - France and the Greek Cypriot administration on Monday signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Greek Cypriot administration leader Nikos Christodoulides at the Elysee Palace in Paris, where the agreement was signed following talks between the two leaders.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Macron said he was pleased to welcome Christodoulides to Paris ahead of the Greek Cypriot administration’s assumption of the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026.

He described the agreement as an “important” milestone in bilateral relations and thanked Christodoulides for his confidence in France.

Macron said the partnership elevates cooperation in areas including environment, culture, education, innovation, the economy, and defense, and is built around the concept of “strategic autonomy.”

They also discussed a wide range of issues, including “shared interests” in the Eastern Mediterranean, irregular migration, and developments in Syria and Lebanon, Macron said.

He added that France’s support for UN-led efforts toward a “fair, comprehensive, and lasting” settlement to the Cyprus issue was also addressed.

Macron noted that Paris and the Greek Cypriot administration share a common vision for a strong and sovereign Europe in the face of growing security challenges on the continent.

For his part, Christodoulides described France as a “reliable and close” partner, saying the two sides share common interests and a strategic vision.

He reiterated Europe’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and characterized the strategic partnership agreement with France as “historic.”

Macron also said on US social media company X that the signing of the agreement marked a new stage in relations between the two countries and would strengthen cooperation in strategic fields, adding that France would fully support the Greek Cypriot administration as it prepares to assume the EU Council presidency in January 2026.